SCHENECTADY, NY -- Michelle Rogers scored a game high 14 points with eight rebounds and Maria Tobin also had eight boards with 11 points and four assists as host and top seed Union rallied for a 61-51 victory over #4 seed Skidmore (11-15) Friday night in the second Liberty League Women's Basketball Semifinal Game at the Viniar Athletic Center. The Dutchwomen, 19-6, take on #2 seed St. Lawrence (18-7) Saturday at 3 p.m. for the championship and the automatic NCAA playoff bid.
This will be Union's first title game appearance since the 2003-04 season, when Union won the title with a 66-39 win over RPI. Selin Whitham dished out a game best five assists with 11 points, four steals and four rebounds for the Dutchwomen, who have won four straight and nine of the last 10. Skidmore outrebounded the Dutchwomen, 45-41.
Sharlyn Harper (New York, NY) scored 12 points for the Thoroughbreds, and Dana Leonard (Cooperstown, NY) scored seven points with a game high nine rebounds. Laura Michel (Middle Village, NY) had three steals along with six points and six boards.
Skidmore, which had lost to Union by margins of 20 and 14 points during the regular season, came out strong on the top seed's court. The Thorougbreds led 9-2 after 6:17, and at one point had held Union to 12% shooting in the first half. Skidmore led again by seven, 18-11, with 8:34 left after a three pointer by Amber Kinsey (Troy, NY). But the Dutchwomen came alive with a 7-0 run after a jumper by Rachel Scott (Colonie, NY) with 2:02 left. The teams were tied at 21-21 after the first 20 minutes, with Union shooting 21% and the guests shooting at a 28% clip.
Michel gave Skidmore the 23-21 lead 33 seconds into the second half, but it turned out to be the final lead of the night for Skidmore. Union then went on a 17-6 run for a 38-29 lead with 12:11 left in the second half. Lauren McCormick (Hoosick Falls, NY) scored five points during that run. Union led by as many as 12 twice the rest of the way. Skidmore got to within four at 52-48 with 1:12 left on a three pointer by Harper. But Union made nine of 12 free throws in the final minutes.
Tournament Web Page (including Box Score)
